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Francie
A distinctive new voice in children's fiction
Francie lives with her mother and younger brother, Prez, in rural Alabama, where all three work and wait. Francie's father is trying to get settled in Chicago so he can move his family up North.
Unfortunately, he's made promises he hasn't kept, and Francie painfully learns that her dreams of starting junior high school in an integrated urban classroom will go unfulfilled. Amid the day-to-day grind of working odd jobs for wealthy white folks on the other side of town, Francie becomes involved in helping a framed young black man to escape arrest -- a brave gesture, but one that puts the entire black community in danger. In this vivid portrait of a girl in the pre--Civil Rights era South, first-time novelist Karen English completes Francie's world using lively vernacular and a wide array of flesh-and-blood characters.
Francie lives with her mother and younger brother, Prez, in rural Alabama, where all three work and wait. Francie's father is trying to get settled in Chicago so he can move his family up North.
Unfortunately, he's made promises he hasn't kept, and Francie painfully learns that her dreams of starting junior high school in an integrated urban classroom will go unfulfilled. Amid the day-to-day grind of working odd jobs for wealthy white folks on the other side of town, Francie becomes involved in helping a framed young black man to escape arrest -- a brave gesture, but one that puts the entire black community in danger. In this vivid portrait of a girl in the pre--Civil Rights era South, first-time novelist Karen English completes Francie's world using lively vernacular and a wide array of flesh-and-blood characters.
199 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
13 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Karen English
46 books60 followersKaren English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and the author of the Nikki and Deja and The Carver Chronicles series. Her novels have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying storylines. She is a former elementary school teacher and lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 26, 2012
Francie, by Karen English, is an inspiring book that emphasize the background of African american history that brings you a vivid imagery of how African american suffered during discrimination of race, ethnicity, or any form of stereotypical eyes. the protagonist is Francie and the title signify her importance in the story. she is a young black girl that lives with her mom and younger brother, Prez in Alabama. there, they all three work and wait for their father to keep to his promise which is trying to get settled in Chicago so he can move his family up north. however, he didn't kept to his promises, he left the family hopes but destroy it completely himself. he gave bunch of unpleasant events and unfulfilled desire to people that loves him and closest to him. She faces many different obstacles and situations everyday. Every time she work and feels tired, there's always something that lingers in her mind which is the dream that her father sets on her family got her hyper and excited even though she know it is just a dream that won't come true. i understand how it feels that when someone close to you promise you something but never kept to the promise. it would always be a pain and a memory that you don't want to remember but no matter what, it appears in your mind constantly and circulate around leaving a deep impression. i really learned a lot from Francie because she taught me that even if you feel weak sometimes, you have to stay strong or else you might get pick on. it teaches you that sometimes don't easily believe other people even though they are very close to you.
i recommend this book to people who are intolerant against segregation. Also, those who experienced the same moment and can't escape from it because it can teach you a good life lesson.
i recommend this book to people who are intolerant against segregation. Also, those who experienced the same moment and can't escape from it because it can teach you a good life lesson.
December 26, 2018
The story takes place in rural Alabama, where Francie, our 12-year-old protagonist, lives with her mother and little brother. Francie's father, who left them about a year ago, is in Chicago trying to `make it.' Francie lives in expectation of the day she will receive `the letter' from him, asking his family to join him. By this time Francie has grown skeptical of his past empty promises. One day, a new boy comes to school. He doesn't know how to read and Francie is assigned the job of teaching him. At first, she seems daunted by the prospect but soon changes her mind as she sees the boy is smart and eager to learn. Then one day he's unjustly accused of a crime. In order to help him, Francie risks everything, including her own family. I had trouble connecting with this book. Nothing happens until around page 40 when the new boy joins Francie's class and she is asked to teach him to read. I had to force myself to keep reading, waiting for something to happen. Francie's voice is sweet but not particularly forceful or insightful enough to sustain those first several chapters without action. The story picks up in the middle but slows down and disappoints at the end. The climax somehow happens too soon, turning the event into an anticlimactic episode.
One gets the feeling that the author didn't do an outline for this story and that the events evolved as the author wrote them, giving the impression of an unbalanced structure. The ending is ambivalent. It boils down to the plot not being compelling enough, the characters not engaging enough. Technically speaking, the writing is good, but although the story has a strong premise, I feel the execution didn't live up to its full potential. Still, this is a book that deals with important issues of prejudice and racism and for this reason has good value for classroom reading and group discussion. But read only for entertainment? I doubt the general middle reader will get past those first few chapters
One gets the feeling that the author didn't do an outline for this story and that the events evolved as the author wrote them, giving the impression of an unbalanced structure. The ending is ambivalent. It boils down to the plot not being compelling enough, the characters not engaging enough. Technically speaking, the writing is good, but although the story has a strong premise, I feel the execution didn't live up to its full potential. Still, this is a book that deals with important issues of prejudice and racism and for this reason has good value for classroom reading and group discussion. But read only for entertainment? I doubt the general middle reader will get past those first few chapters
September 24, 2023
This is a bland, pleasant read.
It had come up in a "dusty shelf" list, of books that haven't circulated in a long time. Since this was a Coretta Scott King honor recipient, I took it home and read it to see if had lasting merit.
Verdict? It does.
There is character development and complexity. The plots are decisively resolved.
And it is getting moved back to the juvenile fiction section, from young adult. While Francie, the titular character, is 13, the narration is suitable for a younger audience. Truly, it offers a gentler look at the segregated South than the impactful Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. There is no harsh language - only one instance of something halfway between the N word and the time-appropriate Negro.
It does still capture the tension of the era. A classmate is accused of a crime and a manhunt ensues, with a lot of racial undertones and overtures. Much of the threat is psychological - there is very little violence.
I feel like it should be paired with the movie "The Help," with parental guidance. Francie and her mother work a lot for white families, serving at teas and book clubs.
It had come up in a "dusty shelf" list, of books that haven't circulated in a long time. Since this was a Coretta Scott King honor recipient, I took it home and read it to see if had lasting merit.
Verdict? It does.
There is character development and complexity. The plots are decisively resolved.
And it is getting moved back to the juvenile fiction section, from young adult. While Francie, the titular character, is 13, the narration is suitable for a younger audience. Truly, it offers a gentler look at the segregated South than the impactful Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. There is no harsh language - only one instance of something halfway between the N word and the time-appropriate Negro.
It does still capture the tension of the era. A classmate is accused of a crime and a manhunt ensues, with a lot of racial undertones and overtures. Much of the threat is psychological - there is very little violence.
I feel like it should be paired with the movie "The Help," with parental guidance. Francie and her mother work a lot for white families, serving at teas and book clubs.
November 16, 2022
Loved historical fiction in 7th grade
April 17, 2024
Reminded me a lot of The Strawberry Girl. I am going to have to spend some time in my mind with both books.
December 20, 2009
Magnificant book deserves a good review
** Francie, by Karen English, an inspiring book of African American History that brings you back to visualizing the way how African Americans suffered during segregation. The author, Karen English leaves you the cliff hanger and starts the book en media res giving you unpredictable events happening at different times. Francie, the main character watches the train she wants to be on to carry her to the place where she can have her dream come true.
Segregation, the time where African Americans has the lifestyle of serving white folks and doing house chores like some house keepers. Francie, a sympathetic and jubilant young girl, which scooter pies and books are her favorite things to buy whenever her mother spares her some money from the hard work. As a daily base, Francie gets herself to work everyday after school with helping her mother work for the Montgomery’s. It was not a pleasure to be hollered at and having to rush all of the chores in time. It was the fact, that her mother was the one that tried to raise the family without the father. Especially during segregation, it was not easy to go through days without her father. What this certain African American History book brings is straight forward plot and puts you as a reader in the position of the main character.
Karen English leaves you a cliff hanger at the beginning of the book. It is like standing on the edge of the roof and ready to fall off, and feel all confuse of where you are leading to. But Karen gives you a hook on the back of your shirt so you will be on track of what you are reading. She makes sure that even though she starts en media res, we as readers are still able to understand the purpose of the book. Karen is an ordinary writer that uses simple text and writing style. But this simple writing leaves no confusion and boredom to me as a reader.
Francie, the main character that faces many different situations everyday. Other than the unwilling courage to work for The Montgomery’s, there is something else that lingers in her mind. The dream that her father sets on her family for going to Chicago causes her to be hopeful and excited. Living in Alabama, the three waited for the day to come where Francies father will bring them to a more free land. Francie stares at the trains passing by every time she stops by the railroad, and imagines herself on the train, traveling to a place that gives her more personal space. If you can’t get what you want, of course you will feel aggravated and outraged. But Francie and her family calmly waited, waiting for their dreams to come upon reality.
The day, that will fulfill Francies dream of starting junior high school in an integrated urban classroom. It was a promise from her father that she will move up to Chicago. During segregation, it wasn’t easy to get respect and have freedom but Francie still manage to do all what she has to do for white folks and waited as she worked., Karen, starts off telling you Francies dream but the answer was unknown until the end of the story. A magnificent book that has simple text brings in more attention that any other books that has 500 pages. Francie, is simple, and catchy at the same time. But this simple writing leaves no confusion and boredom to me as a reader.
** Francie, by Karen English, an inspiring book of African American History that brings you back to visualizing the way how African Americans suffered during segregation. The author, Karen English leaves you the cliff hanger and starts the book en media res giving you unpredictable events happening at different times. Francie, the main character watches the train she wants to be on to carry her to the place where she can have her dream come true.
Segregation, the time where African Americans has the lifestyle of serving white folks and doing house chores like some house keepers. Francie, a sympathetic and jubilant young girl, which scooter pies and books are her favorite things to buy whenever her mother spares her some money from the hard work. As a daily base, Francie gets herself to work everyday after school with helping her mother work for the Montgomery’s. It was not a pleasure to be hollered at and having to rush all of the chores in time. It was the fact, that her mother was the one that tried to raise the family without the father. Especially during segregation, it was not easy to go through days without her father. What this certain African American History book brings is straight forward plot and puts you as a reader in the position of the main character.
Karen English leaves you a cliff hanger at the beginning of the book. It is like standing on the edge of the roof and ready to fall off, and feel all confuse of where you are leading to. But Karen gives you a hook on the back of your shirt so you will be on track of what you are reading. She makes sure that even though she starts en media res, we as readers are still able to understand the purpose of the book. Karen is an ordinary writer that uses simple text and writing style. But this simple writing leaves no confusion and boredom to me as a reader.
Francie, the main character that faces many different situations everyday. Other than the unwilling courage to work for The Montgomery’s, there is something else that lingers in her mind. The dream that her father sets on her family for going to Chicago causes her to be hopeful and excited. Living in Alabama, the three waited for the day to come where Francies father will bring them to a more free land. Francie stares at the trains passing by every time she stops by the railroad, and imagines herself on the train, traveling to a place that gives her more personal space. If you can’t get what you want, of course you will feel aggravated and outraged. But Francie and her family calmly waited, waiting for their dreams to come upon reality.
The day, that will fulfill Francies dream of starting junior high school in an integrated urban classroom. It was a promise from her father that she will move up to Chicago. During segregation, it wasn’t easy to get respect and have freedom but Francie still manage to do all what she has to do for white folks and waited as she worked., Karen, starts off telling you Francies dream but the answer was unknown until the end of the story. A magnificent book that has simple text brings in more attention that any other books that has 500 pages. Francie, is simple, and catchy at the same time. But this simple writing leaves no confusion and boredom to me as a reader.
May 6, 2009
English, K. (2002). Francie. New York: Sunburst.
0374424594
Set in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Francie lives with her mother and brother in the segregated Alabama while her father works and sends money from Chicago. Francie helps her mother work various jobs and attends school while she dreams of being able to move north and have access to “possibilites”. She faces bullying and many small injustices under segregation. When a teenager she is teaching to read is accused of attempting to murder a white man, Francie faces the choice of whether or not to help him with the risk that will make life become more difficult for her family and all of the other blacks living in her town.
While this well-written book is not a formal mystery, Francie’s love for Nancy Drew novels and her clever ways of getting back at those who torment her add a sense of tension that helps the book feel like a historical mystery.
Also worth noting, Francie does complicate issues of race beyond whites=evil, blacks=victims. There are a few white characters who are presented in a positive light and some black characters who Francie is less than fond of for understandable reasons.
Activities to do with the book:
There are multiple references to other works of literature, including Nancy Drew mysteries, War and Peace and the poems of Langston Hughes that a teacher could base lessons around. A teacher could also emphasize the power of literacy, since many of the supporting characters wish they could read as Francie does.
A teacher could also use this book as a basis for lessons on American history, including information on transportation, economic conditions, criminal justice and segregation.
When discussing segregation, this is a good book to show the subtle forms of racism and discrimination that occurred on a daily basis. A daring teacher could also consider whether some of these small injustices still continue in present-day American society as well.
Another way of connecting this text to recent events is to consider how assumptions over Jesse’s guilt or innocence were divided along racial identity. A teacher could draw parallels to judgments people made about OJ Simpson when he was on trial for murder.
Favorite Quotes:
“I did something to that cat, I admit it. But that cat did something to me first” (p. 3).
"I was innocent, but the world had decided to make me guilty. Why did I feel so guilty?" (p. 61).
“God had blessed me with knowing I could fight my way out of my circumstances, if need be” (p. 63).
For more of my reviews, check out sjkessel.blogspot.com.
0374424594
Set in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Francie lives with her mother and brother in the segregated Alabama while her father works and sends money from Chicago. Francie helps her mother work various jobs and attends school while she dreams of being able to move north and have access to “possibilites”. She faces bullying and many small injustices under segregation. When a teenager she is teaching to read is accused of attempting to murder a white man, Francie faces the choice of whether or not to help him with the risk that will make life become more difficult for her family and all of the other blacks living in her town.
While this well-written book is not a formal mystery, Francie’s love for Nancy Drew novels and her clever ways of getting back at those who torment her add a sense of tension that helps the book feel like a historical mystery.
Also worth noting, Francie does complicate issues of race beyond whites=evil, blacks=victims. There are a few white characters who are presented in a positive light and some black characters who Francie is less than fond of for understandable reasons.
Activities to do with the book:
There are multiple references to other works of literature, including Nancy Drew mysteries, War and Peace and the poems of Langston Hughes that a teacher could base lessons around. A teacher could also emphasize the power of literacy, since many of the supporting characters wish they could read as Francie does.
A teacher could also use this book as a basis for lessons on American history, including information on transportation, economic conditions, criminal justice and segregation.
When discussing segregation, this is a good book to show the subtle forms of racism and discrimination that occurred on a daily basis. A daring teacher could also consider whether some of these small injustices still continue in present-day American society as well.
Another way of connecting this text to recent events is to consider how assumptions over Jesse’s guilt or innocence were divided along racial identity. A teacher could draw parallels to judgments people made about OJ Simpson when he was on trial for murder.
Favorite Quotes:
“I did something to that cat, I admit it. But that cat did something to me first” (p. 3).
"I was innocent, but the world had decided to make me guilty. Why did I feel so guilty?" (p. 61).
“God had blessed me with knowing I could fight my way out of my circumstances, if need be” (p. 63).
For more of my reviews, check out sjkessel.blogspot.com.
November 1, 2012
Book Review 3:
This is the book I am currently reading. It is a book about a young African American girl in Alabama. Her father works in Chicago and is trying to find a place in Chicago where they can stay together as a family. Francie is very excited to get out of Alabama and go to Chicago! In the meantime, she is still in Alabama. Francie cleans houses with her mother in her free time and she loves to read. She met a boy named Jesse at school one day because he was a new student. He was only there for a week or so until he never showed up again. Jesse went with his father to help work on a farm. Weeks later, all over in the newspapers, they claim that Jesse killed someone! Now Jesse is on the run and Francie is doing the best to get him to safety. This book is very interesting to me! I wonder if her father will find them a place in Chicago because everyone around Francie says that she will be stuck in Alabama forever. I am also wondering what will happen to Jesse while he is on the run. The police are trying to hunt him down and if they find out Francie is helping Jesse, Francie could be in some serious trouble!
Book Review 4:
The book I just finished is called Francie. Francie is a girl who lives with her mother and brother in Alabama. Her father moved to Chicago because he found a good paying job up there and plans to move the family up there when they have enough money. Francie helps her mother clean houses and attends school in town. Francie is very smart and loves to read. There was a new boy named Jesse and he did not know how to read so Francie helped him by tutoring him. One day Jesse stopped coming to school because he had to work on a farm with his father. Soon after, everyone in town found out that Jesse killed the owner of the farm. Jesse was on the loose and needed to escape to California on a train. Francie wanted to help him find his way to safety without getting caught. Her brother and cousin got caught in the woods trying to give Jesse food. Soon later, Francie's mother saved enough money to get them to Chicago but then right as they were leaving, Francie received a letter in the mailbox. It was from Jesse saying he made it to safety in California. I really like this book because it shows how people help others.
This is the book I am currently reading. It is a book about a young African American girl in Alabama. Her father works in Chicago and is trying to find a place in Chicago where they can stay together as a family. Francie is very excited to get out of Alabama and go to Chicago! In the meantime, she is still in Alabama. Francie cleans houses with her mother in her free time and she loves to read. She met a boy named Jesse at school one day because he was a new student. He was only there for a week or so until he never showed up again. Jesse went with his father to help work on a farm. Weeks later, all over in the newspapers, they claim that Jesse killed someone! Now Jesse is on the run and Francie is doing the best to get him to safety. This book is very interesting to me! I wonder if her father will find them a place in Chicago because everyone around Francie says that she will be stuck in Alabama forever. I am also wondering what will happen to Jesse while he is on the run. The police are trying to hunt him down and if they find out Francie is helping Jesse, Francie could be in some serious trouble!
Book Review 4:
The book I just finished is called Francie. Francie is a girl who lives with her mother and brother in Alabama. Her father moved to Chicago because he found a good paying job up there and plans to move the family up there when they have enough money. Francie helps her mother clean houses and attends school in town. Francie is very smart and loves to read. There was a new boy named Jesse and he did not know how to read so Francie helped him by tutoring him. One day Jesse stopped coming to school because he had to work on a farm with his father. Soon after, everyone in town found out that Jesse killed the owner of the farm. Jesse was on the loose and needed to escape to California on a train. Francie wanted to help him find his way to safety without getting caught. Her brother and cousin got caught in the woods trying to give Jesse food. Soon later, Francie's mother saved enough money to get them to Chicago but then right as they were leaving, Francie received a letter in the mailbox. It was from Jesse saying he made it to safety in California. I really like this book because it shows how people help others.
September 28, 2016
Taking risks
“At one point she passed the door and said, you better pray for god for your soul.’ I knew she was right. Every once in awhile I did something hateful things and I just didn’t know why.” (page 10)
Francie is living with her mother Lil, and her little brother Prez in Noble Alabama waiting for the day to move to Chicago but after waiting day after day is becoming endless and the thought to be with their father in the North is becoming short.
One day while Francie was at school a 15 year old boy named, Jesse came to her classroom to seek her help how to read. Unfortunately Francie finds out that her father is not living up to his expectations and her dream of starting middle School in Chicago is quickly fading away from her and she and her mother will keep on working at wealthy white people's house that are across the town while her brother is working in the cotton fields.
One day when Francie was at home a police stopped by her house to ask her if she seen a young boy. When Francie find out that it was Jesse and he was framed for killing his master she knew that it was not him and now Francie has became involved in an man hunt that could lead to some arrests. Because she is helping him out it could make the whole entire black community put in danger and mostly her family.
Because of this Francie is now being accused of stealing and when she tries to defend herself she is slapped in the face and is humiliated in the entire store just because she is black. Jesse managed to escape and finally her mother found out a way to move out of Noble Alabama and to be reunited with their father in Chicago.
This story is about a young girl and her family who are hard working at everything they do, living in a world of racism, and poverty turn out for the good at the end for them.
Bibliography:
English, Karen. Francie. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1994. Print.
“At one point she passed the door and said, you better pray for god for your soul.’ I knew she was right. Every once in awhile I did something hateful things and I just didn’t know why.” (page 10)
Francie is living with her mother Lil, and her little brother Prez in Noble Alabama waiting for the day to move to Chicago but after waiting day after day is becoming endless and the thought to be with their father in the North is becoming short.
One day while Francie was at school a 15 year old boy named, Jesse came to her classroom to seek her help how to read. Unfortunately Francie finds out that her father is not living up to his expectations and her dream of starting middle School in Chicago is quickly fading away from her and she and her mother will keep on working at wealthy white people's house that are across the town while her brother is working in the cotton fields.
One day when Francie was at home a police stopped by her house to ask her if she seen a young boy. When Francie find out that it was Jesse and he was framed for killing his master she knew that it was not him and now Francie has became involved in an man hunt that could lead to some arrests. Because she is helping him out it could make the whole entire black community put in danger and mostly her family.
Because of this Francie is now being accused of stealing and when she tries to defend herself she is slapped in the face and is humiliated in the entire store just because she is black. Jesse managed to escape and finally her mother found out a way to move out of Noble Alabama and to be reunited with their father in Chicago.
This story is about a young girl and her family who are hard working at everything they do, living in a world of racism, and poverty turn out for the good at the end for them.
Bibliography:
English, Karen. Francie. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1994. Print.
October 31, 2010
Francie is the story of a young black girl who lives in Alabama. Her father is working in Chicago and sending money home. Francie begins tutoring Jesse, a young man who can't read. His father pulls him out of school and makes him go to work, then the father runs off leaving him on his own and his younger brother and sister in the care of relatives. Jesse is fasely accused of assaulting a man. Francie has to decide whether to risk her family or to help her friend. The lessons about bullying, discrimination, hardship and believing when it is easier to give up are all there in this wonderful book. I found myself getting angry with the way some of the whites treated the blacks. When the sheriff was looking for Jesse he walked into Francie's house to look around without permission. Worse than that, her mother had made a welcom homecake for her father and the sheriff helped himself to a chunk of the cake. I guess my feelings were so strong because I grew up in a non-prejudiced home and the prejudice was evident here. Several of my students read this book for their summer reading project. However, Cheyenne kept insisting I read the book and actually brought hers in for me to borrow. This is a book I must now purchase for my shelves. I have put a piece of paper up for my students to make book recommendations to me since so many of them have read books I haven't and I am learning that this group of kids seems to know what is good.
Read
June 12, 2008This was a book that i randomly picked up off of my shelf. it is the story of an African American slave which is a child and tries to cover her friend Jesse is in trouble. Francie (the main character) aspires to go to Chicago where her father is so that she does not have to keep doing work with her mother inder her land owner's eyes. Francie lives with her mother and her younger brother. everyone tells her she will never leave but she believes she will. Francie met Jesse at her school and he wanted to learn so she offered to help him. He was then trying to escape and Francie tried to help but brought trouble to her family, she put them in danger.
i feel that i could relate to Francie because i would help a friend in a situation like that and i feel a lot of her characteristics can be matched with myself. Francie was also very respective towards her land owner and i feel that i am respectful towards older people. I felt that her character showed the hope that one should have in any given situation no matter what. I admire that she was someone who kept her sanity during something like a time of slavery. It was an okay read and for people who like The Color Purple, this may be an interetsing story to read.
i feel that i could relate to Francie because i would help a friend in a situation like that and i feel a lot of her characteristics can be matched with myself. Francie was also very respective towards her land owner and i feel that i am respectful towards older people. I felt that her character showed the hope that one should have in any given situation no matter what. I admire that she was someone who kept her sanity during something like a time of slavery. It was an okay read and for people who like The Color Purple, this may be an interetsing story to read.
December 6, 2013
I read this book for my junior book reading log. It is a historical fiction book based on the Civil Rights Movement. Francie lives in Alabama with her mother and her father. She dreams of moving north to Chicago, where her father is trying to get settled and move the family. Francie wants to attend an integrated school for the first time. She and the rest of her family work and wait for her father, eventually figuring out that they may never get to move. Francie faces many obstacles daily, including the decision to help a young boy whom she tutored to escape arrest. This decision puts her family and the rest of her community in danger, but she does it because she knows he was framed and innocent. This book is filled with a very wide array of different characters that will keep the reader guessing and wanting to read more. Francie learns many heartbreaking life lessons throughout the story, including the realization that her father wasn't going to keep his promise.
January 31, 2015
Francie is a wonderful eighth grade heroine who is stuck in Noble, Alabama between the wars with her mom and brother after her dad promised he'd bring them to Chicago to live after he saved enough as a Pullman Porter. Francie holds onto this promise and her future while struggling to live in an unfair and segregated world. Francie's a smart, spunky character who is bewildered by her own impulsiveness and hasn't realized that she has a well-developed sense of right and wrong. The story does a great job letting us see how tough life is for Francie, who spends most of her time doing chores and helping her mother as domestic help for many of the white families living in Noble. This book won a Coretta Scott King honor and is an engaging read.
September 30, 2015
This book was AMAZING! Francis tells the story of a young southern girl named Francie and takes place in pre-civil rights rural Alabama. Francie currently lives with her mother, Lil and younger brother, Prez. Francie's father moved to Chicago to pave a better way for their family but continuously lets them down throughout the book. A new boy, Jesse, comes to Francie's school and is 16 without the ability to read. Francie is to tutor him on top of working and chores at home but she does it reluctantly. Jesse soon gets in trouble and brings Francie and Prez along for the ride. All this sweet girl wants todos move to Chicago with her dad and read books but this story tells a story of her troubling 13th year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2012
Francie, an African American girl is courageous enough to help another African American escape and hide-from the higher authority that are trying to capture him. Francie had hopes that her father would take here somewhere, Chicago, but it seems he can't fulfill his promise. But, the boy that Francie helped safely escaped due to her courage.
Francie is a very admirable character because she unselfishly helps someone in need-even if she will be blame for it later on and suffer major consequences. Francie is also a good role model for other kids, to not give up on hope even when things seems so far away. You will reach it one day! This book is really good!
Francie is a very admirable character because she unselfishly helps someone in need-even if she will be blame for it later on and suffer major consequences. Francie is also a good role model for other kids, to not give up on hope even when things seems so far away. You will reach it one day! This book is really good!
March 28, 2015
This is an interesting book that takes the reader on a journey of understanding racial discrimination after slavery is abolished. The story is focused on one girl and her relationship with a mysterious boy that is accused of a crime. She learns how to stand up for herself and adapt to the cultural discriminations placed on her. I would like to read this as a read aloud in my classroom.
October 31, 2008
I really learned alot from Franice. She tout me took love what ypum have cause ypu mite not get it back. And i think you will enjoy this book as much as i did. So read it it will teach you a good life leson.
August 3, 2011
This book has prompted many great discussions in my class. It is great to read during Black History Month. Students are very surprised to read how Francie is treated at Diller Drug Store, and are so glad people aren't treated that way anymore....or are they?
March 17, 2009
Good book, gives good historical information and a nice story as well.
Read
September 11, 2012i think the book was sad and beautiful
Read
January 1, 2014AR Quiz No. 2121 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.2 - AR Pts: 6.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.2 - AR Pts: 6.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
February 3, 2014
Reading Olympics book
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